This blog is about myself Karl my wife Lisa and our daughter Lily. Our dream of becoming an established Alpaca Breeding Farm of quality Alpaca's based in the heart of the midlands in Leicestershire. This blog will eventually tell you about our ups and downs that we encounter on our journey to achieve our dream. Oh im not the best with a computer so this could be quite entertaining!

About Me

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Well its been a while since my last blog as I have been away for a week at the International Fire Training Centre up north at Tees Side, this was some training for my work as with having an airfield I needed to gain a qualification to be able to operate it properly. This was quite an intense week of training, not only in the classroom but dealing with live fires on the fire ground. I am pleased to say that I passed the exam and I am know a qualified "Low Category Supervisor of Aerodromes" which basically means that I am now in charge of the Fire Crew and know the legal requirement to operate an operational airfield as set by the CAA (civil aviation authority) anyway that's enough of that, your probably not interested anyway!

That's me bending down to the fire at one of the many simulations we did, you can see on the right what would be an engine fire and undercarriage fire, with the props of the plane showing through the flames.

Well Lisa did a fantastic job looking after the farm and all of the gang, Lily was helping too or hindering, depends on how you interpret it. It was nice to get back home and see the family and the alpacas. We awoke this morning to a chilly start but a typical crisp winters day, I couldn't resist getting the camera out to take a couple of pictures of some of the gang in the winter sunshine (I say winter as it certainly reminded me of winter this morning)

Coco was not impressed with the cold weather and thought it might be warmer on his feet, if he stood in the feed trough...... he didn't stop there long as he was soon pushed out the way by the others when the food went down.

Well its back to work in the morning, so that's all for now as I really ought to help Lisa with the animals or else it might be me outside in the barns tonight!

Thursday, 14 October 2010

Just a short one tonight, but I couldn't resist this picture of some of our herd enjoying another sunny day in October lazing around.

Barry came down a couple of days ago helping with the ever growing poo picking duties, Lily has really taken a shine to him and it looks like i have lost my cap from work, which seems to have found a new owner. I'm not sure what the conversation was here but it certainly looks like they are both putting the worlds to right.

The new four Australians have settled in very well, it's like they have always been here. Still no muddy puddles for Kazuo yet Debbie!

Well that's all for tonight as I am desperately trying to get the website up to date, as this just seems to be taking forever to get it how I want it.

Sunday, 10 October 2010

Well what a hectic weekend we have had. Saturday was an early start as myself and Collin headed off up north to Barnacre Alpacas to pick up four more Australian to add to the WillowBank Herd.

What a journey this was, just over 4 hours to get to Debbie & Paul at Barnacre but it was a welcome sight to see the alpacas in the paddocks when we arrived quickly followed by bacon sandwiches and coffee, thanks guys I certainly needed that.

We had a quick look at some of the knitwear Debbie has been creating which was outstanding, you certainly have something good going on there Debbie, keep it up. A look at the studs in the paddocks confirmed that what we had just purchased was going to make an impression within the WillowBank Herd, Wellground Legend of Spartacus and EP Cambridge Gianmarco's Masterpiece looked amazing even if they were a little wet.

It was then time to get the four loaded into the trailer as we had a long journey back home and I wanted to make sure we were back before it got dark so as we could keep an eye on them to make sure they settled in OK. I think i saw a tear in Debbie's eye as the rear door was closed, don't worry Debbie they will be well looked after and I will get Kazuo to send a postcard.

We finally got home and let the alpacas out into there own paddock to allow them to settle in, a well deserved stretch of the legs for all involved.

Today has been a lovely day with crisp sunshine for most of the day so an ideal time to get the camera out to take some photo's of the new arrivals.

This is Cambridge Kazuo a solid white male sired by EP Cambridge Gianmarco's Masterpiece with further genetics from Jolimont Gianmarco and Jolimont Encantador Kazuo's dam Laalgarths Alice of Cambridge comes with genetics from EP Cambridge Stormcat and NWA Ltd Ruffo.

Ginny and her mum Yuralee Katia of Cambridge, enjoying the grass but Ginny heard me coming so was trying to pose for the camera

All four standing for the camera, from left to right is Ginny, Katia, Kazuo and Alice, oh and not forgetting Wellground Relentless our stud male in the background. We are so pleased that we have been fortunate to have these fabulous genetics here now at WillowBank Alpaca Stud, bring on 2011.

As you can see from the time of this post it's a late one and a short one. A trip up north brings in return four more alpacas with amazing genetics and exciting times ahead to our herd here at WillowBank, thanks to Barnacre Alpacas.

Pictures and more information to follow shortly at a more reasonable time, so come back real soon.

That's all for now, I really need my bed, eight hours travelling is enough for anyone.